NMSU Chile Expert Appears On PBS Program

Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension vegetable specialist, helps PBS "Ask This Old House" host Roger Cook transplant chile plants during the filming of a segment for the show that features the building of a raised garden in Albuquerque. The segment will air Saturday, Oct. 12, on Las Cruces' PBS station KRWG at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, on Albuquerque's PBS station KNME at 4 p.m. (Submitted by WBGH)

A segment of an upcoming episode of the PBS series "Ask This Old House" will feature the building of a raised bed chile garden in Albuquerque.

The segment will air on "This Old House Hour" Saturday, Oct. 12, at 12:30 p.m. on Las Cruces' PBS station KRWG Channel 22, and Sunday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. on Albuquerque's PBS station KNME Channel 5 during the second half of the show. The segment will be available online at http://thisoldhouse.com/watchasktoh the Sunday after the broadcast premiere.

Walker was contacted to share her expertise about chile after the show's producer heard her on a National Public Radio program. She asked Viers to help design the 4- by 8-foot raised bed and install the drip irrigation.

"The Mackos' yard is kind of rough which was preventing them from planting a garden, so they asked 'Ask This Old House' for help," said Walker. "They recently moved to Albuquerque from the East Coast and have learned to love New Mexican chile; they wanted to raise their own."

Walker provided a selection of chile varieties and during the show discusses the attributes of the different types, including "heat" levels and how they are best used.

During the 12th season of "Ask This Old House," the show's expert contractors are traveling the country to tackle all sorts of home improvement projects. The new season, which began Oct. 3, will feature 26 brand-new episodes. Episodes will include projects in Indianapolis, Ind., Seattle, Wash., Biloxi, Miss., Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, La.

Cook, Kevin O'Conner, Richard Trethewey and Tom Silva say they will go anywhere and do anything in the new season.